Alabama
Thousands advised to stay inside in Georgia, Alabama
Thousands of residents across parts of Georgia and Alabama have been urged to stay inside, as of Sunday, February 15, at 4.30 a.m. (ET). This is because a pocket of fine particle pollution (PM2.5) has reached “unhealthy” levels, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its AirNow map—which monitors and communicates the quality of air across the United States.
Areas Affected by PM2.5
According to the AirNow map, in Georgia, the city of Columbus and nearby communities like Buena Vista and Hamilton, and also parts of the Georgia State Route 185, are under “unhealthy” air quality warnings.
In Alabama, the towns and cities of Auburn, Pittsview, Eufaula, and Hurtsboro have also received the same warning.
Advice for Those in ‘Unhealthy’ Air Quality Areas
When the quality of air reaches “unhealthy” levels, the EPA advises everyone living in affected areas to limit their exposure to the outdoor air until conditions improve.
They should reduce the length and intensity of all outdoor activities—like walking instead of running, for example—but those in vulnerable groups, which include the elderly, children, and people with existing heart or lung conditions, should avoid outdoor activities altogether.
What Is PM2.5?
PM2.5 are tiny particles of airborne pollution that are considered, by the EPA, to be one of the most dangerous types. This is because the polluted particles are so small—2.5 micrometers, or less—they can be unknowingly inhaled, entering deep into the lungs, or even the bloodstream, worsening health conditions like asthma, or triggering symptoms ranging from chest tightness and shortness of breath, to coughing, sneezing, and eye, throat, and nose irritation.
The EPA hasn’t confirmed what could be causing elevated levels of PM2.5 across Georgia and Alabama at the time of publishing, but it can come from multiple sources. These include emissions from vehicles and power or industrial plants, dust from unpaved roads and construction sites, or smoke from wildfires or smokestacks.
How the EPA Measures Air Quality
The EPA measures air quality across America using the Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI is a standardized scale, ranging from 0 to 500, that measures and categorizes the quality of air from “good” to “hazardous.”
- Good (0-50): Air quality is fine and poses little or no health risk to the public.
- Moderate (51-100): Air quality is acceptable, but there could be a moderate health risk for a small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150): Members of vulnerable groups—including children, older adults, and people with heart or lung disease—may experience adverse health effects, while the general public is less likely to be affected.
- Unhealthy (151-200): Everyone may begin to experience health effects, and members of vulnerable groups may experience more serious effects.
- Very Unhealthy (201-300): When air quality reaches these levels, it triggers a health alert, as the risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
- Hazardous (301-500): A health warning of emergency conditions is raised, as the entire population will be more than likely affected.
Alabama
Sydney Benally’s record-setting night carries BYU to blowout win over Alabama A&M in WBIT first round
The BYU men’s basketball team could have used Sydney Benally in its NCAA Tournament first-round matchup against Texas Thursday night.
Lee Cummard’s squad was happy she was in Provo and not Portland, though.
Benally tied her career high with 18 points, including four 3-pointers, and set the BYU freshman record for assists in a season in leading the Cougars to a 72-47 win over Alabama A&M at the Marriott Center in the first round of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament.
“I think we came in as a team, just we wanted to prove that we deserve to continue playing in this postseason,” Benally said in a postgame interview on BYU Radio.
“We just have that mentality to just keep playing hard and keep playing for each other.”
With the win, the Cougars (23-11) will host a second-round WBIT game against Missouri next Monday (7 p.m. MDT, ESPN+). The Tigers beat Seton Hall Thursday to advance.
BYU, which was the first team on the outside of the NCAA Tournament bubble, didn’t let the disappointment of missing the NCAAs impact how it started its WBIT opener.
Even though the Cougars hadn’t played for two weeks since a Big 12 tournament quarterfinal loss to TCU, they got out to a 12-4 lead against Alabama A&M and were up 20-13 after one period.
Cummard, BYU’s first-year coach, said he was worried about the psychological aspect of it, having just missed the NCAAs, but his team “was focused” from the jump.
“We just wanted to really come out strong, and I think that now that we’re in this thing, the juices are flowing and we’re ready to go,” Cummard said on BYU Radio.
“They showed that tonight and just the overall effort, (we) did some really good things to start and just kind of kept it going the whole game.”
That start set the tone, as the Cougars outscored the Bulldogs in every quarter, including a combined 36-20 in the second and third quarters as they pulled away.
While it wasn’t a perfect night — for instance, BYU turned the ball over 17 times — the Cougars had the advantage in a majority of categories.
BYU outrebounded the Bulldogs 49-32, shot 46.9% from the field while holding Alabama A&M to 29.6% and doubled up the visitors 8-4 on 3-pointers made.
The Cougars also dominated in fast break points, 16-2.
Benally’s efforts led the way on a night BYU had four players in double-figures. She added five assists, three rebounds and two steals.
“She got us started right from the get-go. She’s always a really decisive passer and makes great passes and did that again tonight,” Cummard said of Benally.
“But the confidence and the assertiveness that she was shooting the 3 ball with tonight really got us going, got her going and just got us off to a great start and (we) rode her for a little bit and then everybody got on board.”
When Benally assisted a Brinley Cannon 3 just 3:24 into the game, she set the freshman assists record, passing Shaylee Gonzales’ former record of 134.
“It’s thanks to my teammates. They get open and they knock down the shot and (it) shows that I’m an unselfish basketball player,” Benally said.
“… I just want anything for the win. I look to see my teammates first.”
With her five assists Thursday, Benally stands at 139 on the year and is primed to add to that total as long as BYU’s postseason run lasts.
The guard also set another freshman record with her 34th start of the season.
“Availability (is) such a huge thing and she’s just been great,” Cummard said, while adding Benally has been playing through injury for most of the season.
“She’s great for the group and I’m glad that she’s done that and she played fantastic tonight.”
In addition to Benally’s record-setting night, senior forward Lara Rohkohl added 13 points, five rebounds, two blocks, an assist and a steal.
Also, guards Delaney Gibb (11 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one block, one steal) and Olivia Hamlin (10 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals) made contributions across the board.
Having an extra home game lent itself to a special moment for senior Hattie Ogden as well. After she didn’t score on Senior Night in BYU’s home finale at the end of February, Ogden hit two fourth-quarter 3-pointers, which was met with adulation from the crowd.
Alabama A&M (22-11) was led by Kalia Walker, an HBCU first team All-American. She had 20 points, two rebounds and a steal in the loss.
Now, the focus for BYU turns to Missouri and a rare opportunity to host an SEC team.
“I think just again, (we’re) blessed to continue playing on our home floor, just having the home advantage and having our community come support us,” Benally said.
“Again, we’re just excited to keep on moving in this tournament.”
Alabama
Man convicted of murder for 2019 death of Alabama college student Aniah Blanchard
TUSKEGEE, Ala. — A man was convicted of murder in the 2019 death of Alabama college student Aniah Blanchard, whose disappearance drew national attention, but the jury spared him a possible death sentence Thursday.
Jurors found Ibraheem Yazeed, 36, guilty of murdering 19-year-old Blanchard. Jurors convicted Yazeed of the lesser charges of murder and felony murder instead of capital murder, an offense that would have carried a possible death sentence
Blanchard, the stepdaughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris, was last seen Oct. 23, 2019, at a gas station in Auburn. Her body was found a month later in a wooded area in neighboring Macon County. She was a student at Southern Union Community College.
The case inspired two changes to Alabama law. Under what was named Aniah’s Law, judges were given more discretion to deny bond to people accused of violent crimes. Yazeed was out on bond at the time of Blanchard’s disappearance.
Gov. Kay Ivey also signed legislation last year to allow visiting judges to handle violent criminal cases to get them to trial more quickly. The legislation was approved after the murder case languished for several years without a trial.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said he was disappointed the Yazeed will not face a possible death sentence but will seek a life sentence for him
“I pledge to do everything in my power to ensure that Ibraheem Yazeed spends the rest of his life in prison. I believe that is what justice demands in this case. Aniah deserves it, as does her family,” Marshall said.
Defense attorney William Whatley told reporters that the case has been plagued with false information and misstatements “rising to almost the level of a lynch mob to get Mr. Yazeed on this capital murder charge.”
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